What is Christianity?

One of the more striking things I heard at the National Conference on Christian Apologetics last weekend came from Chuck Colson. It was his question, "What is Christianity?" and the answer he gave.

He was telling us about a meeting with scholars (at Oxford, I believe) on the topic of Christianity. They were not making much progress, and after some time, Colson finally realized they needed to solidify what they were talking about when they were speaking of Christianity. So he asked that question. One person answered, "Christianity is loving God with all your heart, soul, mind, and strength." Colson answered, "That's part of the Great Commandment, yes, but it's not what Christianity is." Another person said "It's following the Ten Commandments." Colson said, "We certainly ought to follow the Ten Commandments, but that's not what Christianity is."

Here is how he answered the question: Christianity is an explanation of everything.

The point is not that Christianity explains why I'm sitting in the burgundy chair in my living room instead of the blue one. Colson did not mean us to take it to an extreme. What he was saying is that Christianity is not just about getting saved, it's not just about morality, it's not just being part of some religious group. The Bible gives us an explanation for all of the great questions of life: What is ultimate reality? Why do we exist? Where do we come from? How do we understand what is good? How do we order our lives accordingly? What is the basic problem of humanity? What is its solution? Where are we headed? What is truth? What is freedom? What is justice? In view of justice, how can we experience grace for our faults?

The Biblical answer to such questions produces principles by which we can answer important everyday questions: How can I know God? How should I treat my employees? How should I spend my money? How should I respond to bad news I've just received? How can I connect with God and with other persons today? What do I do about this opportunity I have to cheat on a test, or to take something from my employer? How can I have joy and peace?

The Bible does not speak directly to every question. (The burgundy chair is more comfortable than the blue one, but that's not in Scripture!) Yet Biblical principles apply to all of life, as explanations of what the world and life are about, and as guidance for all that we do. Too many of us compartmentalize Christianity into some "religious" sphere. But God is King of all.

Posted: Mon - November 12, 2007 at 09:29 AM |

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What is Christianity?

Thinking Christian by Tom Gilson